- Date Of Death: October 11, 2016
- State: New Mexico
Klaura (Kay) Cecilia Gerard passed away peacefully on October 11, 2016 in Albuquerque, NM. She was born on January 4, 1926 in Thunder Butte, SD and was the daughter of the late Stanley (Oglala Sioux) and Emily (Sisseton-Whapaton Sioux) Pugh. Her brother, Norman Pugh, and sister, Alyasmae Janvier, preceded her in death. She was a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe, and grew up on the Cheyenne River Sioux reservation. Kay was educated at Wakpala High School on the Standing Rock Indian reservation in South Dakota. She graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing, part of Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota in 1947.
She married Forrest J. Gerard (Blackfeet) in September, 1948. Forrest preceded her in death on December 28, 2013. Kay is survived by daughters, Patricia (Jerry Ryburn), Margaret (Gary Emich), Rebecca (Eric Johnson) and Jennifer; and son, Stan. Kay is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many friends.
Kay had an illustrious R.N. career in the hospital setting and also worked as a pediatric office nurse for many years in Maryland. She was the go-to, on call nurse for all the neighborhood families. Before retiring, Kay worked as a hospice nurse in Washington, D.C., and she finished her career working in her husband’s firm.
Kay enjoyed reading, cooking, gardening and traveling with Forrest to see their kids and grandchildren. They also had other memorable trips abroad and also, to many US and Canada tribal locations including their respective reservations in South Dakota and Montana. Kay was a dear friend to many and a cherished mom and grandmother to her family and extended family.
The family would like to thank the staff at Atria Vista Del Rio where Kay lived and enjoyed many experiences.
Saturday, October 15th, 2016, 11:00am – 12:00pm, FRENCH – Wyoming
Saturday, October 15th, 2016, 12:00pm, FRENCH – Wyoming
